As technology advances exponentially, its impact on society becomes increasingly profound. From self-driving cars to artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, emerging technologies are changing how we live and work. However, as exciting as these technological innovations may be, they also bring ethical and social implications that cannot and should not be ignored.
As a developer or an executive making decisions in tech companies (or firms in any industry with a significant technological component, for that matter), it is essential to consider these implications and understand how emerging technologies can affect society. This blog post will explore the intersection of technology and society and discuss some of emerging technologies’ ethical and social implications.
Challenges to overcome
Privacy and data security are among the most pressing issues in today’s digital world. As we become more reliant on technology to store and manage our personal data, it is essential to ensure that this data is protected from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
Developers and executives alike must work together to ensure that emerging technologies are designed with privacy and data security in mind. Some of the ways companies can secure data include the following:
- Encryption. Preventing unauthorized parties from reading data.
- Masking. Suppressing high-value data by replacing sensitive information with random characters.
- Tokenization. Substituting data with low-value representative tokens.
- Data erasure. Cleaning the repository in case stored data is no longer used or active.
- Data resilience. Building full, differential, and incremental backups of critical data and storing valuable data in different locations.
As automation and AI become more prevalent, there is growing concern that these technologies will displace human workers. While automation can increase efficiency and productivity, it can also lead to job losses, particularly in industries that rely heavily on manual labor.
To mitigate the impact of job displacement, developers and executives must work together to create training programs and reskilling initiatives that help workers transition to new roles and industries. Many learning platforms are available where companies can get corporate accounts to ensure professionals learn about these technologies and how to use them to leverage their work and processes.
By reskilling initiatives, we mean training and educational opportunities in aptitudes outside the worker’s existing skillset. These skills are often closely adjacent to their current function but may sometimes be geared toward a different path entirely. By offering these initiatives, you ensure that your workforce is ready for whatever changes may come. Doing it as a company initiative will make talent more likely to be open to accepting new career paths or responsibilities since it takes part of the uncertainty out of the equation.
Additionally, policymakers must consider the impact of automation on employment and create policies that support workers in the changing economy.
Consider the bias and discrimination that can exist in your sector. AI and machine learning algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. If these algorithms are trained on biased data, they will perpetuate that bias, leading to discrimination against certain groups of people.
Leaving out specific communities from datasets results in a lack of representation embedded within algorithms. We’ve seen AI, especially in applications for facial recognition, misrepresent and misidentify people, causing them real problems: from mundane, like preventing access to public buildings and venues, to downright catastrophic, like confusing someone with the suspect of a crime.
Developers and executives must prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their teams and data sets to prevent bias and discrimination in emerging technologies. This means actively seeking out diverse perspectives and ensuring that data sets are representative of the population as a whole.
As emerging technologies continue to transform the economy and the job market, there is a growing concern about social inequality. If these technologies are only accessible to the wealthy or the privileged, they could exacerbate existing inequalities and create a digital divide.
To prevent social inequality, developers and executives must work to make emerging technologies accessible to all members of society. This means investing in digital infrastructure and creating policies that ensure equal access to technology.
The importance of ethics
Now, let’s examine why companies need to consider ethics in their decisions.
Companies committed to ethics and social responsibility often enjoy a stronger reputation and a more positive brand image. Consumers are increasingly interested in supporting companies that align with their values, and an ethical reputation can be a valuable asset in attracting customers, investors, and talent.
Ethical companies are often more likely to build long-term relationships with their customers. When consumers trust that a company is acting in their best interest, they are more likely to remain loyal to that company over time.
Companies that prioritize ethics and social responsibility can be more attractive to top talent. Workers across all industries are increasingly interested in working for companies that share their values. An ethical reputation can help a company stand out from competitors.
Companies prioritizing ethics are often better equipped to identify and mitigate potential legal and reputational risks. By ensuring that their operations are ethical and compliant with relevant laws and regulations, companies can avoid costly legal battles and damage to their reputation.
When professionals believe that their company is committed to ethical behavior, they may be more motivated and engaged in their work. This can improve productivity, higher job satisfaction, and lower turnover rates.
Companies prioritizing ethics can enjoy a range of benefits, including a stronger reputation, increased customer loyalty, attraction and retention of top talent, reduced legal and reputational risks, and improved employee engagement. By prioritizing ethics, companies can create a culture of trust and accountability that benefits both the company and its stakeholders.
Conclusion
Emerging technologies can transform the world and improve our lives in countless ways. However, as developers and executives, we are responsible for considering these technologies’ ethical and social implications and working to mitigate any adverse effects they may have on society.
By prioritizing privacy and data security, addressing job displacement, preventing bias and discrimination, and promoting social equality, we can ensure that emerging technologies benefit everyone and create a better future for all.
